4 Small Habits That Will Change Your Life Forever

Summary

This video offers a refreshing approach to life transformation by introducing four simple habits that can create significant change. The first habit leverages the 'preemptive momentum principle' to overcome procrastination and start tasks with ease. The second habit, the 'messy dashboard,' advocates for a task management system that offloads mental load by assigning tasks to specific times. The third habit, based on the 'time equals reality principle,' emphasizes the importance of aligning action steps with time to realize goals. Lastly, the '5H hour rule' encourages dedicating five hours weekly to a passion project to reignite creativity and reduce fear of death. The video also touches on the importance of daily planning to become the architect of one's life.

Takeaways

• 🌟 The Preemptive Momentum Principle: Create a simple habit by combining the concepts of momentum and inertia with the Oian Kina effect to overcome procrastination and the need for discipline.
• 🔄 Illusion of Continuity: To maintain momentum, start the next day's task a little bit the day before to give the illusion that you never stopped working and always have something in motion.
• 📝 The Messy Dashboard: Use a monthly planner to jot down all tasks and ideas, assigning them to specific times to free your mind and manage your priorities effectively.
• 🗓️ Time Equals Reality Principle: Align your action steps with time to realize your goals. Set up a daily date with your planner to proactively manage your life and ensure important tasks are prioritized.
• 🌅 5H Hour Rule: Dedicate five hours a week to a passion project to reignite creativity, feel more fulfilled, and reduce existential fears by working on what truly matters to you.
• 📚 Getting Things Done (GTD): The importance of not using your brain for task management but instead using tools like planners to keep track of tasks and ideas.
• 🎯 Prioritization: Ensure that the important and creative projects are not overshadowed by everyday maintenance tasks by actively scheduling them into your planner.
• 📅 Daily Planner Engagement: Engage with your planner every day, both in the morning and evening, to review and plan your tasks and goals.
• 🛠️ Task Management: Use a planner to store and organize tasks, attaching them to specific times to reduce the mental load and create a manageable system.
• 💡 Idea Capture: Instantly capture ideas as they come to prevent them from becoming overwhelming and to ensure they are scheduled for future action.
• 🚀 Action Steps: The hardest part of getting things done is starting, so by initiating tasks in advance, you can leverage the desire to complete them and maintain productivity.

Q & A

What is the main purpose of the video?

The main purpose of the video is to introduce four simple habits that can change one's life, focusing on overcoming procrastination and creating a more organized and fulfilling lifestyle.

What is the 'preemptive momentum' principle and how does it work?

The 'preemptive momentum' principle combines the concepts of momentum and inertia with the 'Oian Kina' effect, which is the innate human urge to finish what has been started. It suggests creating an illusion of never having stopped working on a task to reduce the resistance to getting started and to maintain momentum.

How does the speaker suggest dealing with the issue of inertia when starting a new task?

The speaker suggests giving oneself the illusion of always being in the middle of something by starting a task just before stopping for the day, thus reducing the need to overcome inertia each time a new day begins.

What is the 'messy dashboard' and why is it important for task management?

The 'messy dashboard' is a monthly spread in a planner where all tasks and ideas are written down and assigned to a specific time. It is important for task management because it helps to free the mind from constantly remembering and managing tasks, allowing for better focus on goals and priorities.

According to the video, why should we avoid using our brain for task management?

The video suggests that we should avoid using our brain for task management because it is better to reserve brain power for creative thinking and problem-solving, rather than for remembering and organizing tasks.

What does the 'time equals reality' principle suggest about achieving goals?

The 'time equals reality' principle suggests that to realize our goals, we need to align action steps with time by scheduling them on a calendar, ensuring that we are proactive in making our goals a reality.

What is the significance of having a daily date with your planner?

Having a daily date with your planner is significant because it allows you to review and plan your day, ensuring that you are the creator and designer of your life by prioritizing and scheduling important tasks and goals.

What is the '5H hour rule' and how does it relate to personal growth?

The '5H hour rule' is the idea of spending five hours a week on a passion project. It relates to personal growth by allowing individuals to rekindle their creativity and childlike curiosity, leading to a more fulfilling and less fearful life.

How does the speaker recommend integrating new ideas or tasks into our daily planning?

The speaker recommends jotting down new ideas or tasks on the monthly spread of a planner as soon as they come to mind, and assigning them to a specific time, whether it's a day, week, or month, to ensure they are not forgotten and to maintain mental clarity.

What is the speaker's view on the importance of working on passion projects?

The speaker believes that working on passion projects is crucial for personal fulfillment and overcoming existential fears. It helps to bring the childlike part of oneself back to life, fostering creativity and a stronger sense of self.

How does the video suggest we can overcome the feeling of being overwhelmed by our goals and tasks?

The video suggests overcoming the feeling of being overwhelmed by implementing the four habits: using the preemptive momentum principle, creating a messy dashboard, scheduling a daily date with your planner, and following the 5H hour rule for passion projects.

Outlines

00:00

🚀 Preemptive Momentum Principle

This paragraph introduces the concept of 'preemptive momentum' as a method to combat procrastination and the need for self-discipline. The speaker discusses the principles of momentum and inertia, which suggest that objects at rest tend to stay at rest, and those in motion tend to stay in motion. Additionally, the Oian Kina effect is mentioned, which is the human urge to complete tasks once started. The speaker suggests a habit of creating an illusion of continuous work to leverage these principles, such as starting a task slightly on one day to naturally continue it the next, thereby reducing the struggle to begin tasks and maintaining productivity.

05:01

📝 The Messy Dashboard for Task Management

The second paragraph delves into the idea of a 'messy dashboard' as a task management system. It references David Allen's 'Getting Things Done' and the concept of not using the brain for task management but rather for creativity and ideas. The speaker explains the importance of having a place to store tasks that pop into one's head, attaching them to a specific time to avoid the feeling of constant juggling. The speaker's personal method involves a monthly planner where all tasks are written down and assigned to a specific time frame, thus freeing the mind to focus on more important matters without the burden of managing a long to-do list.

⏰ Time Equals Reality Principle for Goal Achievement

The third paragraph focuses on the 'time equals reality' principle, emphasizing that to realize one's goals, one must align action steps with time. The speaker advocates for a daily routine of planning with a planner to ensure that priorities are scheduled and managed effectively. By setting up a daily date with a planner, one can become proactive and feel like the designer of their life, ensuring that important tasks and creative projects are not only completed but are also given the attention they deserve.

🎨 The 5-Hour Rule for Personal Growth and Passion Projects

The final paragraph discusses the importance of dedicating time to passion projects as a means of personal growth and to rekindle the childlike curiosity and creativity within us. The speaker introduces the '5-Hour Rule,' suggesting that spending five hours a week on a passion project can significantly enhance one's life by reducing existential fears and fostering a sense of purpose. The speaker also touches on the planning process, recommending a daily engagement with a planner to manage goals and priorities effectively, thus living a life that feels designed and fulfilling.

Keywords

💡Tiny Habits

Tiny habits refer to small, manageable behaviors that can have a significant impact on one's life when consistently practiced. In the video, the speaker introduces four tiny habits that have positively changed their life. These habits are presented as simple yet effective strategies for personal development and overcoming procrastination, which aligns with the video's theme of life improvement through minor but impactful changes.

💡Preemptive Momentum Principle

The preemptive momentum principle is a concept that combines the ideas of momentum and inertia with the human tendency to complete tasks once started. The speaker explains that by creating the illusion of never having stopped working on something, one can overcome the initial resistance to starting tasks. This principle is used in the video to suggest a method for maintaining productivity and eliminating the need for constant self-discipline.

💡Oian Kina Effect

The Oian Kina effect, although likely a mispronunciation of the 'Zeigarnik effect' in the script, refers to the psychological phenomenon where people have an innate urge to complete tasks they have started. The video uses this effect to emphasize the importance of starting tasks to leverage this natural tendency to finish what has been initiated, which is key to building momentum and overcoming procrastination.

💡Messy Dashboard

A messy dashboard is a term used in the video to describe a disorganized yet functional task management system. The speaker suggests using a monthly planner to jot down all tasks and ideas, assigning them to specific times or dates, which helps in managing the workload without feeling overwhelmed. This concept is central to the video's message of effective time and task management.

💡Time Equals Reality Principle

The time equals reality principle posits that one's allocation of time directly influences the manifestation of their goals and dreams. The video emphasizes the importance of aligning action steps with time to ensure that priorities are realized. This principle is integral to the video's theme of intentional living and goal achievement.

💡Daily Date with Planner

Having a daily date with one's planner is a habit suggested in the video to maintain a proactive approach to life management. The speaker describes a routine of reviewing and planning tasks every evening and morning, which helps in staying organized and focused on personal priorities. This habit exemplifies the video's overarching theme of taking control of one's life through planning and intentional action.

💡5H Hour Rule

The 5H hour rule is a concept introduced in the video that encourages individuals to spend five hours a week on a passion project. This rule is designed to rekindle creativity and a sense of purpose, as well as to combat existential fears by engaging in meaningful activities. The video uses this rule to illustrate the importance of dedicating time to personal growth and interests outside of routine maintenance tasks.

💡Passion Project

A passion project in the video refers to an activity or endeavor that an individual is deeply interested in and passionate about. The speaker advocates for spending time on such projects to foster personal fulfillment and creativity. The concept of a passion project is used in the video to highlight the importance of engaging in activities that bring joy and meaning to one's life.

💡Gratitude Journaling

Gratitude journaling is the practice of regularly writing down things for which one is grateful. In the video, it is mentioned as part of the speaker's daily routine in their planner, serving as a mindfulness exercise that sets a positive tone for the day. This habit is presented as a way to cultivate positivity and gratitude, which contributes to the video's overall message of personal well-being and life enhancement.

💡Time Management

Time management is a central theme in the video, focusing on the efficient and effective use of time to achieve personal goals. The speaker discusses various strategies, such as the messy dashboard and the daily date with the planner, to illustrate how to manage time better. Time management is crucial for the video's message of transforming one's life through small, consistent habits.

Highlights

Introduction to four tiny habits that can change your life.

The Preemptive Momentum Principle to overcome procrastination and the need for discipline.

Combining momentum and inertia with the Oian Kina effect to create a simple habit.

Creating an illusion of never stopping to maintain momentum.

Starting a creative project by outlining the next day's action step and beginning it the day before.

The Messy Dashboard habit for task management without overloading the brain.

Using a monthly planner to jot down tasks and attach them to specific times.

The Time Equals Reality Principle for aligning action steps with time to realize goals.

Establishing a daily date with your planner to stay proactive and design your life.

The 5H hour rule for dedicating time each week to a passion project.

The importance of pursuing creative projects to rekindle the childlike part of oneself.

How the 5H hour rule can alleviate existential crises and fear of death.

The planning process and having a daily date with your planner for effective time management.

The concept of preemptively getting into momentum to avoid the struggle of getting started.

The benefits of a clear and organized planner for managing tasks and priorities.

The role of a planner in ensuring that important and creative tasks are not neglected.

The video's offer to explore the time funnel technique for effective goal and priority management.

Transcripts

so you want to change your life it's a

couple weeks into January you set a

bunch of goals and at this point maybe

you're starting to feel a little bit

overwhelmed with the goals that you set

for yourself you know you've heard all

the typical habits wake up at 5:00 a.m.

do the morning yoga drink the green

juice smoothie and it's starting to feel

like a lot of these are a lot of work

without a little bit of rewarding you

want to hear something different

something simple that will actually move

the needle and change your life so in

this video I'm going to show you four

tiny habits that changed my life so the

first habit you need to implement comes

from what I call the preemptive momentum

principle and it combines two very

interesting principles to create a very

simple habit that will help you kill

procrastination and the need for

discipline and kind of fighting yourself

to get started on something so momentum

and inertia talks about that something

at rest wants to stay at rest and

something in motion wants to stay in

motion so if we combine that with the

let me just make sure I pronounce this

correctly the oian Kina effect it

describes the innate urge that humans

have to finish something that they've

started so if we combine both of these

things we can get a very simple action

step and a very simple habit that we can

use anytime and kind of hack ourselves

into doing what we need to do so what we

can do is we can give ourselves the

illusion that we haven't stopped a lot

of times we'll have one work day and

then we stop and then the next day we'll

start and then we have to deal with this

issue of inertia every single day and

face that battle and it's this idea that

we got to start something and there's

this huge resistance to getting started

but what if we gave ourselves the

illusion that we had never stopped and

that we're always in the middle of

something so what we can do is if you're

starting like a creative project a

passion project or something and you

want to be consistent and work on it

every day let's say at the end of Monday

you outlined what's the most important

action step you can do on Tuesday and do

the first couple minutes of that thing

the day before so if I want to edit a

video on Tuesday let's say that on

Monday I'll spend a couple minutes get

the SD card in the computer um and I'll

get everything in one timeline and then

I'll actually start editing a couple

minutes of that footage so that I have

this desire to complete something

because the hardest part of getting

things done is getting started so with

the preemptive momentum principle we can

preemptively get ourselves into momentum

so that we don't have to fight ourselves

to get started we'll just naturally want

to the second habit that you need to

implement is what I've called the messy

dashboard so if you've read the book

getting things done or books like it

where they talk about how to have the

best task management system how to have

the best time management how to get

things done you know lots of things done

you know you've got your goals your

priorities you know how to juggle a lot

of things without feeling like you're

juggling a lot of things the key that

David Allen talks about is you need to

use your brain to think about things you

know like ideas and creativity and

things that you really want to use your

brain power for not of things so you

don't want to be using your brain for

things like task management so at any

time you're going to think of things

you're going to think oh next summer I

really want to make sure I go to an

outdoor movie that'd be so fun or I want

to make sure I do my Christmas shopping

earlier next year or I want to make sure

I get my snow tires put on my car

earlier at any moment there's things

popping into your head now some of those

things are 6 months from now some of

those things are tomorrow so you need a

place to store those things and the key

is you need to attach them to time so

not just some floating to-do list with

all these different things you know some

people have kind of this look at later

or a someday list but then you have to

keep looking at that someday list and it

really starts to feel like you're

managing a lot so what you want that is

the ease of feeling like you're not

managing a lot with a suitable

complexity for all these things that

we're juggling with our priorities and

goals so what I do is I have a monthly

messy dashboard so on the monthly spread

of my planner that's where I write

everything and I assign it to time so if

I think okay I want to go to an outdoor

movie sometime this summer I don't know

the week I don't know the day but on

June 1st let's say because that's when I

think those movies start then I put a

little reminder so I can go and look up

that type of thing so as specific as I

know if I know the month I put at the

beginning of that month if I know the

week I put it at the beginning of that

week if I know the day then I put it for

that day so as specific as I know I jot

it down so that my mind can be free so

that I can juggle my goals and

priorities lots of things get put on the

planner that get put in one place but I

don't feel like I'm managing a lot so

the third habit that you should

Implement comes from my time equals

reality principle because time is

reality so if you ever want your goals

to be realized want your goals to come

into reality you need to get those

action steps aligned by time so if you

truly want to be the designer of your

life and you want to get make sure the

priorities are on the calendar you need

to set up a daily date with your planner

so this is what I do every evening I do

some gratitude journaling in my planner

I do the same in the morning and and I

look at what do I have going on that day

to make sure that I'm proactive that I'm

the creator of my life the designer of

my life because all those things that

are important to me they're not anyone

else's responsibility but my own so if I

want to make sure that those priorities

really come into my dream life I need to

take the initiative to put those on the

planner first so sit down with your

planner every day so that you can not

only stop feeling overwhelmed and get to

a stable place but you can also get to a

proactive place where you are the

designer and the creator of your life

where you're not only getting the tasks

done but you're also getting the

important things done the creat ative

projects the passion projects the things

that really matter to you so the fourth

habet that you should Implement is what

I call the 5H hour rule a lot of times

as we become adults we stop pursuing

that part of us that's a child that

likes to expand to try new things we get

so focused on living in our life kind of

the maintaining the life and make sure

you know you pay the bills and you do

the dishes and you know kind of the

maintenance of everyday life that we

forget to kind of work on ourselves or

work on our life or creating a new

initiative so instead of focusing on the

maintenance we need something that allow

us to focus on a new initiative and so I

believe that everyone should have a

passion project that they're currently

working on they don't have to try to

monetize it if they don't want to or

they could whatever feels best for you

but what I believe is just the 5H hour

rule is that if you spend five hours a

week on that passion project that

childlike part of you will come alive

again you'll start feeling more creative

you'll start feeling more like yourself

and not to mention that those

existential crisis that I was having or

that fear of death it became a lot

better when I actually started working

on the things that mattered to me a lot

a huge part of that fear of death I

found was that I just wasn't doing what

I felt like mattered to me I felt like I

was wasting in my life subconsciously so

when you start doing the things that

matter to you and you start coming alive

you stop fearing death so much so I

mentioned earlier about my planning

process and how I sit down every day and

have a daily date with my planner but

how do you actually do that how do you

get started what's the best planner for

you so check out this video where I

explore my time funnel which is my time

management technique where I get all of

my goals and priorities done and I feel

like I'm the designer of my life and

getting all these things done without

feeling like I'm juggling a bunch of

[Music]

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